Tehran [Iran], January 13: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has alleged that nationwide protests have "turned violent and bloody to give an excuse" for United States President Donald Trump to intervene militarily in the country.
Araghchi told foreign diplomats in Tehran on Monday that the violence spiked over the weekend but the "situation is now under total control".
He said Trump's warning of military action against Tehran should turn motivated "terrorists" to target protesters and security forces to invite foreign intervention. "We are ready for war but also for dialogue," he added.
Araghchi also said Iran has footage of weapons being distributed to protesters, adding authorities will soon release confessions of detainees. The demonstrations were "stoked and fuelled" by foreign elements, he said, noting security forces would "hunt down" those responsible.
Iran's spiralling protests have entered a third week amid a nationwide internet blackout and repeated military intervention threats from Trump.
Iran's government has declared three days of national mourning for the "martyrs" killed during the protests, including members of the security forces. The semiofficial Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday that 109 security personnel had been killed in the protests.
Authorities have not confirmed the number of demonstrators who have lost their lives, but opposition activists based outside the country said the death toll is higher and includes hundreds of protesters.
Initially prompted by anger over the rising cost of living, the demonstrations have evolved into nationwide protests and a serious challenge to the government in place since the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
The Fars news agency reported that limited protests took place in several neighbourhoods of the capital on Sunday night.
There were limited "riots" in the Navvab and Saadat Abad neighbourhoods of Tehran, Junqan and Hafshejan in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, and Taybad of Mashhad, which were dispersed by security forces, according to Fars.
The agency reported that the other cities and regions in the country were generally calm without "riots" overnight.
On Monday, Iranian media showed reported footage of pro-government rallies on its Telegram channels from various cities.
Source: Qatar Tribune
